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WASHINGTON, D.C. — As Cam Schlittler continued to build a to-die-for portfolio – leading the American League in ERA, second in strikeouts – it was safe to assume he was heading straight to the All-Star Game on Tuesday.
Not just show up but follow in Gerrit Cole’s footsteps in 2023 and start the game. It’s the kind of honor reserved for the best of the best and Schlittler earned it.
But hours before the Yankees were to face the Nationals on Sunday, manager Aaron Boone delivered stunning news: their emerging ace would not only pass on the opportunity to start the All-Star Game, he preferred to opt out altogether.
Although Boone was quick to say Schlittler’s arm is fine, the manager explained, “Cam just feels like on his recovery day to go back out there (to throw) 100 miles an hour is something that I think he felt a little apprehensive about.
“So (we) certainly support that decision. Obviously, he understands what’s at stake here in the second half for us and for him.”
Both Schlittler and the Yankees clarified the situation after Sunday’s 5-3 win over the Nationals.
The right-hander said he would be available to pitch if asked by Toronto manager John Schneider. The Blue Jays won the pennant in 2025 which automatically gave Schneider the reigns to the AL All-Star squad this year.
Major League Baseball informed the Yankees that anyone named to the All-Star team and is in attendance must be ready to participate.
But Schlittler made it clear his first priority is preserving the health of the Yankees’ starting rotation in the second half.
“The staff’s had a lot of injuries this year, so between Gerrit and Max (Fried) and Carlos (Rodon), you just don’t want to (add) that risk in there of letting the team down,” Schlittler said.
“If I were to not recover (from pitching in the All-Star Game), and I’m dragging a little bit, that wouldn’t benefit anyone. But again, I’m on the roster and if they need me, then, you know, I’ll throw.”
The point was rendered moot when Schneider announced Blue Jays ace Dylan Cease would be the AL’s starter.
Schlittler threw 6.2 innings in Saturday night’s 4-2 win over the Nationals. With at least six days rest during the All-Star break, Schlittler would be in line to start against the Dodgers on Friday in the Bronx.
The caution makes sense from a workload perspective. Schlittler has totaled 118.2 innings this year, putting him on track to exceed his career high (149.2) in 2025. The right-hander has been healthy since a mild upper lat strain in spring training delayed his exhibition season debut by a few days.
Schlittler has since evolved into the rotation’s savior while Cole worked his way back from Tommy John surgery. With a 2.05 ERA and 137 strikeouts, Schlittler is an old-school fastball specialist. Velocity is his primary currency.
But YES Network analyst and former Yankees manager Joe Girardi noted, “something seems off” about Schlittler during Saturday’s game.
Although he averaged a blistering 98.7 mph against the Nationals, Schlittler was indeed not at his best. Washington blasted two home runs off the right-hander in the first inning and also drew four walks.
That would explain why the Yankees are supportive of Schlittler’s decision to scale back until next weekend. They need him to be fresh not just in the second half of the season but October as well.
Still, the All-Star Game’s pageantry is rivaled only by the World Series. Taking the mound in the first inning, even if he retired the side in order, would’ve put Schlittler on a national stage and raised his profile within the industry.
The Yankees will still be represented by Ben Rice, who’s second in the American League with 29 home runs, and Cody Bellinger, a three-time All-Star in 2017, 2019 and 2026 and the National League’s Most Valuable Player in 2019.
Ironically, Schlittler’s gritty performance against the Nationals on Saturday strengthened his credentials as the All-Star Game starter had Schneider not picked his own guy (Cease).
As late as the post-game press conference on Friday night, Boone spoke of Schlittler’s appearance in Philadelphia, the site of the All-Star Game, as a foregone conclusion.
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“Look, everyone could use a couple of days off at this point,” the manager said. “But you can’t just say no to the All-Star Game.”
By the next morning, Boone was forced to eat his words. Schlittler walked into the manager’s office and asked for the Yankees’ blessing to lay low.
The club’s approval was immediate. All eyes are on the weekend showdown against the Dodgers.
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